Conference of the Parties to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control
Sixth session
Moscow, Russian Federation,13–18 October 2014
18 October 2014
DECISION
FCTC/COP6(10) Control and prevention of waterpipe tobacco products
The Conference of the Parties (COP),
Recalling the report submitted by the Convention Secretariat on the control and prevention of waterpipe tobacco products (documents FCTC/COP/6/11 and FCTC/COP/6/11 Corr.1);
Acknowledging that waterpipe use accounts for a significant and growing share of tobacco use globally and that misconceptions about the safety of waterpipe use compared to other smoked tobacco products have contributed greatly to its wide social and cultural acceptance and the observed sharp rise in its use globally;
Emphasizing that it is well documented that the tobacco used in waterpipe is as deadly as other tobacco products, causing a range of illnesses including cardiovascular diseases, different types of cancers, and respiratory and other illnesses;
Noting that the global tobacco industry and other commercial entities are investing in waterpipe production and that its distribution is no longer limited to local industries, which might increase its use and the related epidemic not only in countries traditionally known for waterpipe use but also at the global level;
Recognizing that Parties need clear guidance in relation to waterpipe and the regulatory peculiarities that are unique to its use;
Further emphasizing that establishing a mechanism for exchange of information on the different aspects of waterpipe tobacco products between Parties is vital to success in controlling its use;
FCTC/COP6(10)
2
1. INVITES Parties to:
(a) include waterpipe tobacco products in surveillance systems and other relevant reasearch at national level and develop national profiles, including consumers, products types, additives and sales channels, on waterpipe use;
(b) strengthen their implementation of the WHO FCTC in relation to waterpipe tobacco products, through the integration of waterpipe prevention and control into tobacco-control measures;
2. REQUESTS the Convention Secretariat to:
(a) Invite WHO to:
(i) develop a report on policy options and best practices in the control of use of waterpipe tobacco products in light of the WHO FCTC to be submitted to the seventh session of the COP;
(ii) integrate reporting on use of waterpipe in all relevant data collection;
(b) review the reporting instrument of the WHO FCTC and integrate reporting on waterpipe use where appropriate;
(c) in consultation with the WHO Secretariat explore the possibility of including waterpipe use issues in a global knowledge hub;
d) include, as appropriate, a specific reference to and discussion of waterpipe tobacco products in the ongoing working group discussions, especially in the working group on Articles 9 and 10 of the WHO FCTC.
(Fifth plenary meeting, 18 October 2014)
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